The world's finest players have rolled into Rome, hoping to gain momentum and glory ahead of a trip to Paris.
©Jon Buckle / FFTThe Road to Roland-Garros 2025 has taken a picturesque stop in The Eternal City.
That's right, the Italian capital Rome is the stunning setting for the latest action with the Parisian Grand Slam's main draw launching into action on May 25. Here are the key talking points so far…
By her own ultra-dominant, steamrolling standards, reigning Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek is well below her majestic best on her cherished clay.
The shot-making has appeared erratic at times, the serve is off kilter, the five-time major winner posted a Stuttgart quarter-final, prior to a 6-1, 6-1 Madrid semi-final defeat at the hands of Coco Gauff.
On Saturday, three-time Rome winner Swiatek's undulating season took another turn in a 6-1, 7-5 dismissal at the hands of No.29 seed Danielle Collins. The American was simply fearless, striking 32 winners to snatch away six breaks of serve to book an enticing Last 16 duel with Elina Svitolina.
For Swiatek, an astonishing run of 26 consecutive Round of 16s at this WTA 1000 level came to a halt, going all the way back to Cincinnati 2021.
A ninth loss of the season equalled the total defeats of Swiatek's whole 2024. Something isn't clicking for this supreme force.
“This year I feel like I’m struggling a bit more with my perfectionism,” admitted Swiatek. “I want to for sure focus on being disciplined on the court and making right choices, not the choices that sometimes pop out in my head, but being really solid."
The 23-year-old appeared downbeat on her chances to land a fifth Roland-Garros triumph next month.
“Obviously it would be stupid to expect a lot because I’m not able to play my game right now,” suggested Swiatek, following her loss to Collins.
“I think I just wasn’t present to fight and to compete,” she said. “I focused on mistakes and it’s my mistake and I’m not doing things right. The focus is on the wrong things from my side and I’ll try to change it.”
©Jon Buckle / FFTIga Swiatek before her third round at Rome WTA 1000
'Ole, ole, ole, ole, Sinner, Sinner' chants are booming out once again.
The Italian talisman enjoyed a hero's welcome on home soil at the Foro Italico, slotting back into devastating form with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Mariano Navone for his 22nd successive win on tour.
The world No.1 is competing for the first time since lifting the Australian Open in January.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Jannik Sinner. “I waited quite long for this moment. I’m very happy to be back. It’s very difficult to have the right feedback when you don’t have any matches, and that’s exactly what I need.
“The whole match, even when it seemed quite comfortable, it was a rollercoaster.
“Especially inside we felt that. I would say especially the beginning of the match having, again, the nerves of serving for the first time, trying to move in the best possible way you can… I love the competition. That's what I was looking for. Today I felt quite good on court. I'm happy about that, so hopefully of course we are aiming for small improvements which are the small details that can make the difference."
The top seed advances to tackle Dutchman Jesper de Jong on Campo Centrale on Monday afternoon.
With the defending champion Swiatek out, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff lead the charge for five Top 10 talents still involved in the WTA ranks.
Sabalenka bounced back for 6-3 in the decider against Sofia Kenin to chalk up a blockbuster bout with Marta Kostyuk. A few weeks ago in Madrid, the world No.1 edged Kostyuk 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in a pulsating match en route to the trophy lift.
As for Gauff, the No.4 seed has the challenge presented by Emma Raducanu, who overcome Veronika Kudermetova 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.
Home hero Jasmine Paolini is enjoying her finest Rome run and will be wary of Roland-Garros 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko's firepower.
Also in a packed Monday schedule, world No.7 Mirra Andreeva and Clara Tauson will meet for the third time this year. Andreeva prevailed in two WTA 1000 encounters on the way to lifting the title at both Dubai and Indian Wells. However, Tauson is seriously dangerous, having sent out a signal of intent with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 comeback over world No.10 Emma Navarro.
It's a welcome sign to see US Open 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu back in the mix. Can she topple No.8 seed Zheng Qinwen?
Roland-Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz is well within the trophy hunt in Rome. The world No.3 dazzled with some human highlight reel tennis on Sunday during a 7-6(2), 6-2 passage past Laslo Djere.
The Spaniard seemed to be moving freely after an abductor injury prevented his participation in Madrid.
Into the Rome Last 16 for the first time, Alcaraz can complete the set of the nine Masters 1000 quarter-finals should he remain undefeated versus Karen Khachanov (4-0).
Reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev raced into the Last 16 by taking out qualifier Vilius Gaubus 6-4, 6-0 and will go toe-to-toe with France's Arthur Fils in a box office battle.
In Monday's night session, expect a raucous home crowd to cheer on Matteo Berrettini against Madrid winner Casper Ruud.
French No.1 Fils is proving his credentials at the very top once again in the Italian capital.
The 20-year-old, competing at a career-high world No.14, extended his record to 4-0 facing Stefanos Tsitsipas with a compelling 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 scoreboard on Sunday. In doing so, Fils adds to his Masters 1000 quarter-finals ventures at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo. Can he add a fourth facing Zverev to truly lay down a marker for Roland-Garros?
It took three hours and 45 minutes, on his fourth match point, but Corentin Moutet bolstered the French contingent in Rome with an absorbing 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(4) triumph over Holger Rune for a maiden Top 10 victory.
Moutet will need to whip up another electric atmosphere up against world No.5 Jack Draper in the Last 16.
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
